Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo

HechiOverall winner

Hechi is approximately 14% less expensive than Longquan based on cost of living including rent. This makes Hechi a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.

Hechi has a FIRE Score of 76/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 55, suggesting moderate safety levels.

Recommended profile: Hechi is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.

Side by side

Best in row

China

Hechi

Increased Caution
FIRE76

China

Longquan

Increased Caution
Nomad59
Cost
Cost of living index
-
-
One person, excluding rent
$1,550/mo
$1,550/mo
Family of four, excluding rent
$5,600/mo
$5,600/mo
Total monthly, rent included
Best in row. $1,100/mo
$1,603/mo
Monthly savings
Best in row. $1,900/mo
$1,397/mo
Housing
1BR, city centre
Best in row. $250
$285
1BR, outside centre
Best in row. $180
$205
3BR, city centre
$500
-
3BR, outside centre
$350
-
Scores
FIRE score
Best in row. 72/100
71/100
Nomad score
48/100
48/100
Retiree score
40/100
Best in row. 47/100
Overall score
Best in row. 76/100
59/100
Safety & infrastructure
Safety index
55
Best in row. 75
Internet speed
75 Mbps
Best in row. 80 Mbps
Walkability score
-
-

Estimates from published local prices. N/A means no figure is published for that city.

About these cities

About Hechi

Hechi is a cheap bet for remote workers who prize low rent over comfort: a city-center one-bedroom runs $250/mo and a single person can live on $650/mo, which explains the 78/100 FIRE score and 76/100 overall expat score. The tradeoffs are real, though. Healthcare is poor, English is limited, the expat community is small and largely confined to Jinchengjiang District, and a safety index of 55 with an air quality index of 68 means you are trading clean air and easy living for savings. Retirees should look elsewhere given the 44/100 retiree score, but digital nomads on a tight budget can make the math work.

About China

China works for remote workers and business expats fluent in navigating bureaucracy, not retirees seeking an easy landing. Rent outside the city center averages just $238.5/mo, backing the low COL index of 30.7. But with no retirement visa, no digital nomad visa, and an advisory level of 2, getting legal footing here is the real obstacle, not the budget.

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Hechi vs Longquan -- Frequently Asked Questions

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